Developing A Harvest Plan And Its Components

To compile a harvest plan, the editor must be acquainted with the harvest techniques and must have knowledge regarding the different phases during the harvest process. These phases will either become a component of the plan, or it will be integrated into a component of the plan. It is therefore critical that the relevant information gathered is accurate and correct.

The harvesting process is summarised in the diagram below.

The preparation phase includes: deciding on the harvest technique; which tools are required; the sourcing and checking of equipment; sourcing and training of labourers; etc...

The harvest phase is now implemented, and which involve the picking of fruit, the cutting of cabbages etc... The produce is placed into intermediate storage, transported to a pack-house where it is processed and packed for final shipment. The extent of processing and treatment that take place in the pack-house dependents on the crop and the market it is destined for. This could also differ from one site to the other.

The harvest plan should take all these aspects into account as well as timing related issues. It is important that the harvest plan is developed and ready for implementation well in advance of the actual harvest commencing.

Click here to view a video that explains when and how to harvest corn.

The Equipment Plan

The equipment plan is the most crucial component of a harvest plan as it controls and schedules the use of equipment as well as the training of personnel in the use and maintenance thereof. The required process is set out in the diagram below.

Compiling an equipment plan involves the gathering of relevant information on the expected harvest. Remember to include the relevant safety issues and precautionary safety measures.

Determining Equipment needed: The method of harvesting will determine the equipment and tools required as the quality of end product is influenced by the way in which a product is harvested. Only now an equipment plan can be compiled. The quality requirements can also determine how long the harvested crop can be kept in the field and the type of equipment that the crop can be stored in.

Determine the equipment quantity required: The quantity of tools or pieces of equipment needed depends on the number of harvesters that are required. The number of harvesters is determined by: The volume of a product required by your client and the volume that a single harvester can harvest per day (using the tools and techniques you have selected for harvesting).

Determine the locations where tools and equipment are required: After you have decided on the harvesting technique and determined the quantity tools and equipment required, you need to establish the logistics regarding the locations.

Fields and personnel - You need to know where the fields are located in relation to the housing of the harvesters. This will enable you to determine the transport you require to move the personnel and their equipment to the fields.

Fields to pack-houses – the distance and condition of the roads from the field\orchid to the pack-houses will indicate: the number of trips – thus quantity vehicles\trailers needed; the speed at which the crop can physically be transported; the volume of produce that can be loaded at one time; the type of containers that can be used.

Compiling an implementation plan: Compiling an implementation plan involves the supplying of tools, equipment and labourers at the different sites as well as the time factor – when are these needed – and of course the transport.

Planning procurement: If it is necessary to replenish tools or equipment, place your order in good time to ensure that delivery will be in time before harvesting commences. You will have to take into account the elapse of time between equipment being ordered and it being delivered.

Equipment checks and maintenance: All (old and new) the tools and equipment required for harvesting must be checked in advance, allowing time to repair faults.

Labour Plan

In order to compile a labour plan, you need to know where, for how long and when these labourers will be needed. The diagram below provides a simplified version of the process required.

You also need to plan for unforeseen events, accidents or risks such as:

• What happens if the harvest is early or if it has to be postponed?
• What happens if the harvest carries on for longer than planned?
• Are the personnel to be paid per day or per volume of actual harvested produce and how could this influence your plans?
• What happens if personnel are hurt or become ill?
• What happens if for some reason harvesting cannot continue for a specific period of time? Do you use the labour for other tasks?
• Can temporary contract labourers perform similar activities at other locations?
• Can temporary contract labourers be used to perform other activities?
• If you use on-site personnel, what other tasks do they have to perform and how could this influence your harvest plan?

These possibilities will influence your former planning and therefore you need to make provision for alternatives.

Personnel Recruitment Plan

As part of the equipment plan, you needed to identify all the phases and major tasks that are to be performed during harvest. You also determined the number of labour units required which was influenced by the volume of the harvest.

Keep in mind that some personnel can perform shared tasks. These tasks are not performed at the same time, but at the same location. For example, a harvester can empty his own picking basket into the transport trailer instead of appointing a labourer to do it. On the other hand, a tractor driver should not perform shared tasks.

Personnel Training Plan

Once you determined the number of labourers needed for each phase during the harvest process at each location and the job they are to perform, you need to procure the personnel. There should be records of previous personnel procurement conducted on the farm. Use these to identify relevant labour for the different jobs. In this way you could procure individuals experienced in a specific field. These are especially important for specialised jobs such as tractor drivers and combine operators.

You will have to plan for sufficient time to ensure that the labourers are well trained. Also allow extra time to put these labourers through a test to see if they are capable to perform the jobs they are trained for – can they manage the identification of the crop quality requirements, application harvest procedures correctly, apply hygiene and health measures, what about safety measures etc.

Your plan should allow for time to train, evaluate and retrain them if necessary. You should, where possible, employ people with previous experience for specific tasks in which they gained confidence as they will need minimal training.

Keep in mind that not all personnel require to be trained fully in all aspects of harvesting. The tractor driver for example does not have to know the quality criteria of the crop, but he must be able to drive a tractor, operate the trailer and he must be aware of the driving conditions he should adhere to. He must also be concerned of the areas where he is allowed to park the trailers in the field and the off-loading areas at the pack-house.

The tractor driver should also be aware of the rules regarding produce handling in the pack-house. An important part of you plan is to keep record of the process and steps taken. Implement a record keeping process which includes the wages negotiated, tasks delegated, training provided and all evaluation information.

Maturity Indexing Plan

Maturity index for local markets will differ from produce destined for overseas markets. The steps involved in maturity indexing are shown in the diagram:

Click here to view a video that explains maturity testing for long-term storage harvest planning.

By the time you reached this stage, you will be acquainted with the quality requirements for your crop. You will also have an indication of when the harvest is most likely to start. You now have to plan the timing and logistics for maturity indexing.

To compile a maturity indexing plan, you need to decide:

• Who will conduct the maturity indexing?
• How often should this happen?
• How many indexing people will be needed?
• Are they fully trained in indexing?

In most cases the personnel involved in indexing tend to be permanent employees and maturity indexing is part of their job description. It is important that you plan to involve these people in the training of harvesters as they will be able to demonstrate the maturity criteria to inexperienced harvesters.

Health and Safety Plan

Click here to view a video that explains health and safety on the farm: everybody's responsibility.

A Health and Safety plan is developed to ensure the health, welfare and safety of all personnel working on a farm. Hygiene procedures required during harvest is integrated into the Health and Safety plan. This plan will normally also provide for the health and safety of the consumer of the harvested product.

The issues that have to be considered include:

Planning for safety: personnel should be trained in the correct use of personal protective wear, equipment and procedures within facilities.

Accident handling: This is an emergency plan which prescribes the procedures to follow when a minor accident or injury occurs and how these should be handled. An evacuation and\or emergency plan needs to be developed for any injury that cannot be handled on site. The plan should clearly define the circumstances under which evacuation may be required. It should also define the situations which can be handled on site.

Hygiene: Hygiene instructions and procedures not only protect the consumer but also include post-harvest treatments and define personal hygiene. As an integral part of this plan aspects such as the number and location of toilets and basins required in the field are prescribed. This plan also prescribes the volumes of detergent, soap and disposable gloves.

Labour training: The H & S plan should detail the training schedule to all personnel prior to the commencing of harvest.

Click here to download a handout that explains guidelines for a health and safety plan.

Waste Management Plan

Click here to view a video that explains best practices for agricultural waste disposal.

A waste management plan is compiled which enables all personnel to identify the different types of waste, what to do with the different types of waste and where, when and how it should be disposed of.

The waste plan should take into account:

• The type of waste expected
• How the waste can be segregated
• Where the waste can be expected
• When is it expected
• The volume that should be expected
• The procedures in handling the waste; what should be done with the different streams of waste, where is it to be taken to, how it should be transported, is intermediate storage required and the rate at which the waste is generated.
• The plan must identify the personnel responsible for waste management and identify the tasks and responsibilities of individual team members.
• Any training that may be required must also be planned.

Click here to download a handout that explains the importance of waste management in business.

Click here to download a handout that explains agricultural waste management.